The secret to the long-necked animals' strong, skinny legs is a secret groove in their lower shin

The secret to the long-necked animals' strong, skinny legs is a secret groove in their lower shin

How do the spindly legs of a giraffe support its huge weight?

It's something that has puzzled scientists, but they may now have uncovered the answer.

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in London have identified a highly specialised ligament structure that is thought to prevent giraffes' legs from collapsing under the immense weight of the animal.

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in London have studied the legs of giraffes and found that they were able to withstand huge forces thanks to a distinct groove that runs along the length of their shins, housing a structure called the suspensory ligament. This structure is found in other large animals, such as horses